Prep Athlete of the Week: Marchant's shooting sparks Viking boys

In fact, when the Vikings beat crosstown rival Chico 62-55 on Jan. 18, Marchant took several of them.

The senior point guard scored 22 points, including 17 in the first half with a trio of 3-pointers in the second quarter when Pleasant Valley asserted itself against the favored Panthers.

But the Vikings' senior point guard insisted he's not the sole capable clutch performer.

"I'm always prepared to take a shot whenever the team is in need of one, but everyone can, Tyler Tullius, Marcus Habib, whoever," he said.

But no one on the Vikings may be better equipped to fire away, especially from outside. Marchant's 43 percentage on 3-pointers leads the Vikings, who are 3-0 in the Eastern Athletic League and are 12-9 overall.

"I wish I had a full two years with him," said Tim Keating, in his first season as PV's varsity coach after coaching the freshmen for several seasons. "When you get to big games, the big players have to step up."

PV wouldn't be in first place if it weren't for Marchant. He excels at filling up the stat sheet, especially as a guard who grabs more rebounds than most at his position. Marchant had seven rebounds, two assists and four steals in the Chico triumph, which was his second game back after missing time with a groin injury.

"Coach Keating said to go out there and show how good of a team we can be," Marchant said. "We played as a team. Everything clicked."

Last week, Marchant kept things going as PV twice won big. In a 54-36 victory against Las Plumas on Jan. 23, he had 12 points, four rebounds and three steals. Then PV romped past Paradise 63-32 on Jan. 25 as Marchant had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals.

For the season, Marchant carries a 13.4 scoring average, the lone Viking to have one in double-figures.

While Keating would like more time with Marchant, he has still seen the point guard change his game for the better.

"When he played as a freshman, he just was a good point guard," Keating said.

The coach recalled Marchant hit some big shots near season's end, starting the transformation that Marchant has continued by putting in the necessary time on his own, something Keating noticed.

Marchant mentioned his regiment included "a lot of shooting, a lot" but he also added some muscle to his frame, increased his jumping ability, playing in several basketball tournaments over the summer, basically anything he could do to hone his game.

But now, Marchant is more focused on what is right in front of him and the Vikings.

"I'm just looking forward to the second half of league," said Marchant, who added that a Northern Section championship is his ultimate goal.